Big Ten: Weekly Conference Analysis with Odds and Predictions

by Chris Vasile - 11/14/2017

After the Big Ten landscape was turned on it's head two weeks ago, things
kind of returned to normal with this past weekend's results. Every team
that was supposed to win pulled through, and there were no real upsets to
speak of -- unless of course you take the AP rankings seriously. With No.
13 Ohio State's blowout win over No. 12 Michigan State, the Buckeyes
recaptured the inside track for the Big Ten Title game. They own a one-game
lead over the Spartans and Penn State and also hold the head-to-head
tie-breaker. They also hold a one-game lead over Michigan, which makes this
year's edition of "The Game" all the more meaningful.

Over in the West Division, Wisconsin kept their unbeaten record intact by
beating No. 20 Iowa by a score of 38-14. Phenom sensation Jonathan Taylor
rushed for another 157 yards, which makes that his seventh 100-yard rushing
game in his last nine games - including two 200-yard performances. If it
wasn't for Baker Mayfield, Taylor's Heisman campaign would be legitimate.
The question still remains, though - and I touched on it
last week
- would the committee actually keep an undefeated Big Ten Champion out of
the College Football Playoff? Your guess is as good as mine, but the Notre
Dame and Georgia losses only pushed the Badgers one step closer to the top
four.

Weekly Big Ten Round Up

It was a pretty straightforward week in the Big Ten with favorites going
5-2 ATS. The only two teams that failed to cover were Indiana by half a
point and Penn State by two points. "Over" bettors had tough go of it this
past weekend as only two of seven games exceeded the total while five
stayed under the number. The complete rundown looks like this; No 13 Ohio
State beat No. 12 Michigan State 48-3, No. 14 Penn State beat Rutgers 35-6,
Indiana got the better of Illinois 24-14, Minnesota destroyed Nebraska
54-21, Michigan outclassed Maryland 35-10, No. 8 Wisconsin handled No. 20
Iowa 38-14 and No. 25 Northwestern held on for a 23-13 win over Purdue.

Big Ten Rundown: Week 12

I wrote last week that the only game of interest in the Big Ten was the
Spartans/Buckeyes game - which is true -- but it was probably the least
entertaining game of the bunch. Unfortunately, this week figures to be much
of the same with only one real game standing out above the rest. Michigan
travels to No. 8 Wisconsin for a showdown with the Badgers at Noon Eastern.
The Badgers are currently
7.5-point favorites.
We all know about Michigan's struggles on offense, but they do posses a
defense that could cause the Badgers fits. The rest of the card shapes up
like this; Rutgers travels to Indiana (-11), Minnesota travels to No. 25
Northwestern (-7.5), Illinois takes on No. 13 Ohio State (-39), Purdue
takes on No. 20 Iowa (-8.5), Maryland does battle with No. 12 Michigan
State and No. 14 Penn State (-24) hosts Nebraska.

Big Ten Power Rankings

As we enter the Big Ten's penultimate regular season week, I think now
would be a better time than any to give you my final Big Ten power
rankings. Sure, there may be one more week left to play, but if the top
teams handle their business like they should, the power rankings would look
exactly the same whether I did them this week or before the final
regular-season game.

No. 1 Wisconsin
- The Badgers are the only undefeated team left in the Big Ten, and that
has to mean something even if they've played a very soft schedule this
season. The Badgers are also one of the most complete teams in the country,
possessing an absurd rushing attack, consistent quarterback play and one of
the best defensive units in the nation. The Badgers are all but guaranteed
a spot in the Big Ten title game but will need to run the table and get a
bit of help elsewhere in order to make their first ever College Football
Playoff appearance.

No. 2 Ohio State
- It was a toss up for the second spot between the Buckeyes and Penn State,
but I have to give the nod to J.T. Barrett and Co. The Buckeyes have won
seven of their last eight games, with the lone hiccup being a letdown spot
in a tough place to play -- away to Iowa. The Buckeyes are also in control
of their own destiny and should find themselves squaring off against
Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game.

No. 3 Penn State
- Before we jump the gun and call last week's win a solution to what's been
ailing the Nittany Lions, let's all remember it came against Rutgers. Sure,
Trace McSorley had a solid game, throwing for 214 yards and two touchdowns,
but their best player, Saquon Barkley was held to just 35 yards on 14
carries. Is he injured? We will never know. The fact of the matter remains
that if Penn State can win out and if Michigan can upset Ohio State in the
final regular season game then they'll be in the Big Ten title game.

No. 4 Michigan -
The Wolverines' offensive struggles have been fully documented, but those
struggles seem to be a thing of the past. Big Blue has won three straight
games and have scored 35 points in each of them. They do, however, face
their two toughest opponents in the coming weeks, so we will get a chance
to see if their modest three-game winning streak is legit or if they just
took advantage of subpar teams.

No. 5 Michigan State -
I simply couldn't put Sparty ahead of Big Blue, especially after the
ass-kicking the Spartans received last week. They got dominated in every
facet of the game, and they not only fell out of Big Ten contention but
they plummeted down the rankings to No. 23. Sparty has played well above
expectations this year and should be rewarded with a spot to a half-decent
bowl game.

No. 6 Northwestern
- Don't look now but the Wildcats have reeled off five straight wins, which
includes wins over Michigan State, Iowa and Maryland. They are getting
solid play on both sides of the football and have a legitimate shot at
winning nine games this season and heading to a popular bowl game.

No.7 Minnesota
- The Gophers used the read-option to perfection last week and ran
roughshod on a bad Nebraska team. Quarterback Demry Croft ran for 183 yards
and three touchdowns, while teammate Rodney Smith added 134 yards on the
ground. The Gophers are currently 5-5 and need one win from their remaining
two games (Northwestern and Wisconsin) in order to secure bowl eligibility.

No. 8 Iowa
- The Hawkeyes are the biggest enigma in the Big Ten. One week they look
like world beaters and destroy Ohio State and then the following week they
lay an egg on the road. Iowa is already bowl eligible, but they will be
looking to improve on their 6-4 record with games left against Purdue and
Nebraska. An eight-win team is much more likely to get placed in a decent
bowl compared to a six- or seven-win team.

No. 9 Indiana
-The Hoosiers are two wins away from a Bowl game, and they have every
chance in the world to secure those wins against two subpar teams in
Rutgers and Purdue. The defense stepped up in a big way last week, racking
up eight sacks and 10 tackles for a loss against Illinois. If the Hoosiers
fail to reach a bowl game then this season will be viewed as a complete and
utter failure.

No. 10 Purdue
-The Boilermakers threw the ball 60 times in last week's loss to
Northwestern, and you can expect a repeat performance this week against
Iowa once they begin trailing. Purdue needs to win it's last two games
(unlikely) in order to reach six wins and bowl eligibility. They take on
Iowa this week and Indiana in the season finale.

No.11 Rutgers
- The Scarlet Knights actually led the Nittany Lions 6-0 last week with a
few minutes left to go in the first half. And then in fine Rutgers fashion,
they gave up the next 35 points and were blown out. I guess you could say
this was a moral victory considering they got shut out in last season's
games. Rutgers has been somewhat competitive this year, but they are still
the butt end of all Big Ten jokes.

No. 12 Nebraska
- The Cornhuskers were embarrassed last week on the road by Minnesota to
the tune of 54-21. They now have to travel to Happy Valley to take on a
Nittany Lions team with it all to play for.
The Huskers are currently 26-point underdogs
, and with the way they've mailed in the last few weeks this should be
another blowout.

No. 13 Illinois
- Eight straight losses have the Fighting Illini wishing and hoping the
season was over today. However, they are in Columbus this week for the
yearly blowout and then take on Northwestern. Not sure Lovie Smith can
survive a winless Big Ten season.

No.14 Maryland
- The season started in fine fashion for the Terrapins, but then the injury
train rolled through College Park and absolutely derailed the entire
season. The Terps now find themselves playing a fourth-string quarterback
and finish the season with a trip to Michigan State and home to Penn State.
That two-game stretch would be tough for any starter, let a lone a QB ma king his second and possibly third career start.

Free Play from Doc's Sports.
Take #231 Minnesota Golden
Gophers +6.5 over Georgia
Tech Yellow Jackets
(5:15p.m., Wednesday,
December 26) The Paul Johnson
era will come to an end after
this game and I do not think
he will go out with a blowout
victory. Generally team can
fare well against the option
when they have a month to
prepare for it and that will
be the case with the Golden
Gophers. Minnesota is coming
off their best game of the
season last time out beating
Wisconsin and getting back
the ax for the first time in
well over a decade. Minnesota
has covered 5 straight
nonconference games. Georgia
Tech is 1-4 ATS in their last
5 nonconference games. Take
the points in this game. Do
not miss out on Doc's Sports
Weekend card featuring picks
in basketball, hockey, &
football. Bowl Game of the
Year is coming in late
December and now is the time
to jump on board and let Doc
close out this holiday season
with a bang.Read MoreRead Less

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